China Harbour out, CRBC in for developing Chinese economic zone

Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA) is going to change the developer company for the construction of the Chinese Economic and Industrial Zone or CEIZ.

BEZA will sit with the authorities concerned including the Chinese embassy in Dhaka to take a decision in this regard on Thursday.

“We will sit tomorrow (Thursday) and make a decision about the development of the CEIZ,” Shaikh Yusuf Harun, executive chairman of BEZA, told Business Insider Bangladesh on Wednesday.

Earlier on July 16, Li Jiming, Ambassador of China to Bangladesh, wrote a letter to the executive chairman of BEZA informing him about the withdrawal of China Harbour Engineering Company from the development of CEIZ.

“China Road and Bridge Corporation or CRBC will be the new developer of CEIZ and will continue and expedite the development of CEIZ,” Jiming said in the letter.

The Chinese top envoy in Dhaka also said they have decided to withdraw China Harbour Engineering Company in consultation with the China Communications Construction Company (CCCC) and relevant Chinese government departments.

“It would be highly appreciated if BEZA could continue facilitating the process of the development of CEIZ with CRBC. And, I sincerely hope that with BEZA’s support and coordination, more and more Chinese enterprises will invest in Bangladesh,” said the Chinese ambassador.

The Chinese Economic and Industrial Zone is being developed under the government-to-government initiative on an area of 781 acres in Anowara Upazila in Chittagong.

According to BEZA, CEIZ has the potential to meet all the necessary conditions to become a successful economic zone. Once the economic zone is established, it is expected that there will be a huge demand for industrial plots, from potential investors.

The zone has access to water transportation, which is suitable for exports due to its proximity to the largest seaport in Bangladesh. The zone is expected to create employment for 2,00,000 persons.